Let's Learn About Wine and Booze and Beer! While We Drink It

The bar at Flora. Photo from Facebook.

Check out the Wines of South America at the JCCSF on Monday February 9th with master sommelier and author of the book Wines of South America, Evan Goldstein. He’ll be presenting wines from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, and talking about the various regions and climates and what to look for when purchasing bottles. The event begins at 7pm and tickets are $35 and include the talk and tasting. JCCSF members receive 10 percent off the ticket price. 3200 California St. at Presidio, 415-292-1200.

In Oakland, ~FLORA~ is now offering cocktail classes at their bar. Matty McGee, the bar manager, will be leading two two-part series. Each class will be on Sunday evenings from 5pm-7pm, and costs $75 for a single class or $125 for both classes in the series. Classes are limited to ten students, so you’ll get lots of attention and instruction. The first series begins on Sunday February 8th and ends on Sunday March 8th, and is all about Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. YES. Learn about the history of these old-school drinks and about the importance of bitters in each drink. You’ll even make your own bitters to take home. Then, on Sunday April 12th and Sunday May 17th, learn about the difference between West Coast and East Coast Palates with different recipes for gimlets, martinis, and Tom Collins. Full details on each series as well as tickets are right here. 1900 Telegraph Ave. at 19th St., Oakland, 510-286-0100.

Don’t forget San Francisco Beer Week begins on Friday February 6th. Don’t miss the opportunity to try beer from tons of local brewers, attend workshops, pairing dinners, and more. The full schedule of happenings is here, with highlights like a Magnolia Brewing dinner at Bar Crudo, a Belgian beer and dim sum pairing at Mama Ji’s, and a yeast flavor profile workshop at Triple Voodoo Tap Room, for your deep beer nerd needs. Go out there, lather up, and get sudsy! Beer Week runs until Sunday February 15th; locations and prices of events vary.